Non-spill container spout with peel type seal

ABSTRACT

The invention is a device and a method for remotely peeling off a peelable seal, using only one or two pieces of flexible material, allowing the container to be placed in the pouring position, and the delivery orifice to be inserted into a receiving port, all the while sealed; then once in the receiving port, to be unsealed, so as not to spill any fluid outside the receiving port.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is filed in furtherance of an informalapplication filed in the U.S. patent on 15/19/2003, said informalapplication having the same Title and the same Inventor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a lid for a containeropenable by peeling and more specifically to containers that dispensefluids into receiving ports or orifices without spillage, and a methodfor using them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The handling of motor oils and motor fuel additives are goodexamples of the difficulties that can be encountered in the transfer ofmaterials from any container to which this patent is addressed.Recently, motor oil and oil additives for automobiles have been packagedin plastic bottles with threaded necks and cooperatively threadedresealable caps. The oil from these containers can be poured directlyinto the oil receiving port or orifices of the engine. Due to theawkward location of the oil receiving ports in most automobiles, oiloften spills over the rest of the engine when poured directly from thebottle, creating undesirable waste and mess. Ordinary funnels are oftenused in attempt to alleviate this problem. However an ordinary funnel isoften dirty and oily, and at self-serve stations they often offer onlydisposable paper funnels that buckle and spill. Often one tries to tiltthe oil bottle just enough to place it in the oil receiving port, but atthe same time not so much that the oil spills out before the bottle isfully inserted. A bolder attempt can cause the oil to surge and if theconnection is missed slightly the results are messy. Alas, too oftenones aim or timing is off, perhaps a false start or contact with anengine part, the result: oil on the engine to smoke and attract dirt andcause air polution. At night time it is more difficult, all reasons fornot checking the oil regularly.

[0004] Once the oil bottle is successfully inserted into the oilreceiving port and some oil has been dispensed, it is then not difficultto remove the bottle without spillage, as just a slight tilting of thebottle puts the nozzle well above the level of the oil in the bottle.Also for the removal, the bottle need not be aimed.

[0005] The main problem then is inserting the oil bottle in thereceiving port, without spillage.

PRIOR ART

[0006] There have been many attempts to solve the problems in the priorart. All of them unfortunately involve the attachment of devices ontothe end of the container or expensive tops on the containers. Thereusable devices themselves become dirty and oily and must be removedand replaced by the operator's hands. Another difficult is that thesereusable devices must be stored between uses. Examples of such devicesare as follows:

[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,600 is disclosed a nozzle that attaches tothe oil container that includes a shut-off handle and a valve that isopened by pressing the assembly downward into the receiving port.

[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 2,593,634 is disclosed a spigot that opens bybeing pressed against the receiving port of the container into which thefluid is being poured, and returns to its closed position when thespigot is withdrawn from the port.

[0009] In U.S. Pat. No. 3,074,444 is disclosed a spigot that opens as itis pushed against the receiving port and closes when it is withdrawn,relying on a spring and valve.

[0010] In U.S. Pat. No. 2,701,078 is disclosed a spigot that contains avalve member that opens as a bill is engaged against a side of thereceiving port and the assembly in pushed into the receiving port, andthen closes as it is withdrawn.

[0011] Accordingly, there is a distinct need for a way in whichpetroleum bottles can be improved to eliminate spillage during theinitial insertion of the bottle into a receiving port of an engine orother vessel, which does not require the attachment and removal of adevice from the container every time it is used.

[0012] Also there is a need to effect this desired improvements cheaply,using a disposable element, without requiring changes in the design ofthe bottles and containers that are now in use.

[0013] Also there is a need to effect the desired improvements withoutthe operator having to touch any part that is dirty or oily, at anytime.

[0014] Also there is a distinct need for a way in which othercontainers, containing other fluids can be similarly improved toeliminate spillage during their insertion into other types of receivingports.

[0015] The present invention involves the use of a flexible peelableseal. Such seals are well known to the art such as disclosed for examplein U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,847, which describes the use of such a seal tocover the top of a disposable container. In each case these disposableseals were designed to be opened when the container is upright, whereasthe seal which is the subject of this invention is designed to be openedwhen the container is in the inverted position, that is when the liquidor other material will immediately pour out of the container orifice,when the seal is opened; also it may be opened when the seal isobstructed by a receiving port into which the seal and container orificehave been placed. The seals described in the prior art would beunsuitable for this purpose as one could not gain access to open theseal because the seal and spout would be within the receiving port, andeven if access could be gained, the liquid or other material would gushout when the seal was opened to cover and perhaps contaminate theoperators hands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] It is an object of this invention to improved existing and futurecontainers to eliminate spillage during their insertion into receivingports, and to do so without the operator's hands ever coming in contactwith oil, or having to attach, remove or touch any oily or dirty valveor spigot.

[0017] It is an object of this invention to ensure that no spillage canoccur before a container is securely placed in a receiving port.

[0018] It is a further object of this invention to keep the operator'shands well away from the material being poured into the receiving port.This will ensure that one's hands are not dirtied or contaminated by thematerial being poured.

[0019] It is a further object of this invention to improve bottles andcontainers by adding only one or two small plastic parts that are light,disposable and inexpensive.

[0020] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of thisinvention will be apparent from the following, more particulardescription of the preferred embodiments of this invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The invention is a method and a device for remotely peeling off apeelable seal, using only one or two pieces of flexible material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container that is in its sealedmode, after the screw cap has been removed.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container that illustrates thecontainer in the pouring position, in both the sealed and the partlyunsealed modes.

[0024]FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are perspective views of the sealing strips,illustrating the centering slit(s) 4 a and looped and fob typeterminations on the proximal end of the strip.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container that is in its sealedmode, after the screw top has been removed, with a small band 5 a thataligns the tail 4.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container that illustrates thecontainer in the pouring position, in both the sealed and the partlyunsealed modes, also illustrating how the small band 5 a acts to collectthe seal pad 3 as it is removed.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container that illustrates howthe small band 5 a can be incorporated into the seal pad 3. FIG. 7 alsoillustrates a channel 2 a through the threads 2 of the container toposition and align the tail 4 of the seal, and facilitate opening andclosing of the container cap 1 a, without twisting the tail.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container that illustrates howthe small band 5 a can be incorporated into the seal pad 3, but also bedetachably attached or attached to the seal pad 3 by attachment means 6b, to allow for assembly without having to thread the tail 4 through theloop formed with the band 5 b.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a container that illustrates andexample of a preferred embodiment for those applications that requiremore mechanical advantage to remove the seal pad 3 by employing a secondloop 5 b to act as a pulley.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container that illustrates anexample of a preferred embodiment in which the tail 4 of the seal memberis compacted onto the seal pad 3, prior to deployment, to permit ease ofmanufacture.

[0031]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container that illustrates anexample of a preferred embodiment in which the tail 4 of the seal memberis compacted into the seal pad 3 prior to deployment in an accordionfashion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of theinvention which is a sealing means for a container spout or pouringport, which can initially be sealed and then opened both while in thepouring position, and while the container spout is already locatedinside the receiving port.

[0033] The great advantage of this invention is that no spillage canoccur before a container is securely placed in a receiving port, becauseuntil that time the container can remain sealed even while the containerin the pouring position.

[0034] The peelable sealing means, referred to herein as the seal, iscomprised of any flexible material or composite of materials that areflexible and provide an appropriate seal to prevent the material insidethe container from leaking out while it is in the pouring position. Thematerial is sufficiently flexible that it can bend around the bottle asillustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The seal or sealing member iscomprised of a seal pad 3 and an elongated seal member or seal tail 4.The seal can be partly or wholly peeled away from the orifice 1 b of thecontainer, to which it is wholly or partly detachably attached, directlyor indirectly, by an operator pulling the tail 4 away from the orifice 1b of the container 1, for example, in direction 8; the tail 4 beingconnected to a part of the seal pad 3, usually immediately adjacent tothe edge of the seal 10, so that the tail of the seal 3, 4 pulls thatpart of the seal pad 3, to which it is attached 10, across the surfaceof the seal pad in a line running from the point of attachment 10,through the centre of the seal pad 3 and thence to the opposite side ofthe seal pad and beyond. In the preferred embodiment, the seal pad 3and/or the tail 4 curls back on itself and in the case illustrated inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2 this occurs at location 10. It is this curling back,in the preferred embodiment, which positions the seal pad to peal backand away from the orifice 1 b of the container 1, when the operator 7remotely pulls on the tail 4, and in the case illustrated in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 this pulling is in direction 8. So long as the tail of the sealis pulled across the seal pad, in approximately the direction describedabove, in combination with the curl of the seal pad and/or the tail 4and perhaps being channelled by other features of the invention, theoperator's hand 7 can be remote from the seal pad 3 being pealed off,and be well away from any material which would then flow from the nowopen orifice 1 b of the container 1. As can be readily appreciated, theneck or nozzle of the container 1 can also be wholly within thereceiving port 1 c of a vessel 1 d, as illustrated in FIG. 2, whenunsealed, and yet the operator can remove the seal remotely withoutsoiling his hands and without spilling any of the liquid being poured.

[0035] It is to be understood that while the preferred embodimentsposition the seal pad 3 and/or the tail 4 in a curled position, to moreconveniently remove the seal, the tail could be initially located so asnot to have the initial cur, and leave it for the operator to effect acurl before removing the seal. While this would be less convenient, itis to be understood that this would be within the ambit of theinvention.

[0036] The flexible seal can be in one or more attached pieces, althoughthe simplest arrangement is to have a single piece. Some applicationswill require that the seal portion that actually seals the containerport, the “seal pad” 3, be made of special, perhaps more expensivematerial. In such cases it would be appropriate to make the seal out oftwo or more different materials held together by various means, wellknown to the art as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, which illustratesa possible connecting point 10 at approximately the point between theseal pad 3 and the seal tail 4.

[0037] It is important to understand that although the preferredembodiment illustrated on FIG. 1 FIG. 2, FIGS. 5 6, 7, 8. 9 and 10illustrate a simple peel seal that is actuated from the seal pad edge,other preferred embodiments would include those seal pads that areremoved by pulling a tab located on other portions of the seal pad, andit should be understood that these would constitute other embodiments ofthe invention. It is also important that some embodiments of the presentinvention include tear-off and snap-off tops as well as peel-off topsincluding those where only a portion of the top is removed. In each casethese parts that are removed or partly removed ought to be considered asa seal pad 3 for the purposes of this invention. Any top that can beopened by a motion of the tail 4, similar to that illustrated 9 on FIG.2 that causes some portion of the seal pad 3 and or tail 4 to curl backon itself before the operator 7 pulls the tail 4 and/or during the pull,comes within the ambit of this invention.

[0038] The seal pad 3 of preferred embodiments can be detachablyattached to the orifice 1 b of the container, directly or indirectly,thus creating the seal, by means well known to the art, which includeadhesives, heat fusing, and ultrasound welding. The tail 4 of the sealcan be detachably attached to the seal pad 3 and the container 1 atvarious convenient points, three of which 6 are illustrated on FIG. 1.The purpose of these detachable attachments is to keep the assemblytidy, and also to assist in maintaining the correct position of the tail4 relative to the top of the container 1 orifice 1 b, so that when thetail 4 is pulled in direction 8 by the operator 7 the seal pad 3 ispeeled away from the orifice 1 b of the container 1, in approximatelydirection 9, rather than having the tail 4 slide radially, along theorifice edge on which it is sliding, and then fall off the edge, indirection 8 a, all as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, or a directionopposite to direction 8 a.

[0039] One preferred embodiment ensures that the tail does not slidearound the edge of the container orifice 1 b by creating a concave shapein the tail 4 which conforms to the convex shape or round shape of thecontainer orifice 1 b. In the preferred embodiment illustrated on FIG. 1and FIG. 2 this concave or cupping shape is effected by two simple slits4 a in the tail of the seal, which forms three bands; the centre bandmay then be stretched to form a cupping shape that curves around theround top of the container 1. Other preferred embodiments use any numberof slits 4 a to effect this purpose, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.The cupping shape is created if the tail 4 is slightly elastic or thecentre of the tail is stretched longitudinally, so that the relativelyshorter longitudinal edges of the tail 4 tend to rap around or cup, theround shape of the container orifice 1 b. Some preferred embodiments ofthe invention effect this longitudinal stretching in whole or in part byincorporating slits 4 c with their longitudinal axis orientated normalto the longitudinal axis of the tail 4 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.While FIGS. 3 and 4 show one row of slits, it should be understood thatany number and arrangement of holes or slits might be used for thispurpose. In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the elasticqualities of the material chosen for the tail, provide ample cupping andno other provisions may be necessary, such as the said slits or forming.In other embodiments of the invention, and for some containers, noprovision need be made for the sliding in direction 8 a or for similarsliding in other directions; or other provisions have been made toprevent sliding, in which cases the tail may not contain any slits orcupping features.

[0040] This longitudinal stretching of the centre of the tail 4 can beeffected in the course of manufacturing the seals 4 on the containers 1.The round shape of the container orifice 1 b can act as the form and thedesired shape can be obtained by simply stretching the deformable tail 4over the container orifice 1 b, after it is otherwise in the properalignment. This forms the desired cupping. Other means to create thisconcave or cupping shape can be utilized and still come within the ambitof the invention such as simply imparting the shape in a polymer stripor metal foil by forming or pressing. Forming the cupped shape bystretching the tail 4 over a form may obviate completely or partly theneed for slits 4 a and 4 c. These methods are well known to the art ofpolymer and metal foil fabrication. While FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate ovalshaped slits 4 a and 4 c, other preferred embodiments incorporate slitsof any shape, including simple cuts, so long as they will cause thecentre of the tail to expand laterally and longitudinally respectively,forming the necessary cup shape.

[0041] In another preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6,a band 5 a is placed on the seal pad 3 itself. This band 5 a can be anintegral part of the seal or be attached by means well known to the art,including ultra sonic welding or by adhesives. These points ofattachment can be detachable or non-detachable, or one can be detachableand the other non-detachable. The purpose for making at least oneattachment detachable would be to allow the gathered and peeled part ofthe seal pad 3 to pass through, the loop that was formed before saiddetachment. FIG. 7 is an example of how band 5 a can be incorporatedinto the seal pad 3. FIG. 8 is a further example of how band 5 a can beincorporated into the seal pad 3, but this example one end of the loopis detachably attached or attached to the seal pad 3 by attachment 6 b.The purpose of attaching the end of the loop in this manner is to permitthe placement of the tail 4 in the loop 5 a, prior to attachment 6 b, sothat the tail need not be threaded through the loop 5 a. In many casesthis will allow for easier and faster assembly of the seal and loop. Theattachment 6 b can be accomplished by many means, well known to the art,such as adhesives and ultrasonic welding.

[0042] The band 5 a on FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 can be of various sizes and anumber of bands might be utilized instead of just one. The band 5 a canalso be located on various positions on the seal pad 3, but in FIGS. 5and 6 it has been located between the center point and the edge of theorifice 1 b, opposite the place where the tail 4 merges into the sealpad 3, at 10 as shown of FIG. 5. This configuration may require only asimple tail 4 without any forming or slots 4 a, 4 c or cupping shapes toassist in aligning the tail 4 as described above, but some embodimentsmay incorporate some or all of the additional methods as well. Also noband 5 may be required for some purposes. For embodiments that use theband 5 a, and for some other embodiments as well, the tail may beattached to the container 1 as illustrated in FIG. 2, so that when theseal is removed it remains with the container 1, thereby reducingadditional refuse.

[0043] In some preferred embodiments of the invention the proximal endof the tail 4 is free-footed, except for perhaps the detachableattachment at 6, as illustrated on FIG. 1, others, for example, areattached to the container 1 at 6 a, as illustrated on FIG. 2. Theadvantage of connecting 6 a the proximal end of the tail to thecontainer 1, as illustrated on FIG. 2, is that it prevents the tail fromseparating from the container 1 after use, reducing refuse. Also thetail 4 can form a handle when the top 1 a of the container 1 is on andsecurely holding the distal end of the tail. A further advantage ofattaching the proximal end of the tail 4 to the container at or around 6a is that a curve or loop is thus formed 4 b and the operator can hookhis finger in the loop to pull the tail, as illustrated on FIG. 2.

[0044] Preferred embodiments of the invention include many differentways of terminating the tail at the proximal end to facilitate theoperator gripping the tail 4 at this point. These methods are well knownto the art. Some have fob shaped ends 4 b, such as illustrated in FIG.4, which can be used as a surface for advertising or directions for use;while others have openings 4 b as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, throughwhich the operator can place a finger to facilitate pulling the tail.

[0045] Some preferred embodiments of the invention include sliding means5 for aligning and containing the tail relative to the container 1.FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a band 5 which allows the tail 4 to slidebetween the container 1 and the band 5, while at the same time the bandcontrols the tail's relative lateral position with respect to thecontainer. The band can be bound to the container by adhesive or suchother means, well known to the art, except for a portion that forms aloop, through which the tail 4 passes, as illustrated on FIGS. 1 and 2.This assists in channelling or aligning the tail with respect to thecontainer so that it does not slide around, and then off the rim of thecontainer's orifice 1 b in direction 8 a, or in a direction opposite to8 a, as illustrated on FIG. 1, when the tail is pulled, as describedabove, or when the screw cap is screwed onto the container, orsubsequently, when it is screwed off. It should be noted that in mostcases this loop is much smaller than that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;which has been made large for diagrammatical clarity. Other preferredembodiments use bands that are not attached by any other means than bytheir own tension. And some preferred embodiments use the band thatfalls away from the tamper-proof caps when it is unscrewed. Oneadvantage of using a band is that it assists in preventing the seal fromseparating from the container, after use, thereby reducing refuse.

[0046] Other preferred embodiments do not use bands at all, to maintainalignment, and rely on the tension of the tail 4 between the rim of thecontainer 1 orifice 1 b and the point of attachment between the proximalend of the tail 4 and the container 1. Other embodiments of theinvention channel and control the position of the tail 4 with clasps orguides that permit the tail 4 to slide within the clasp or guide, whichare well known to the art, for example: loops and hooks (open loops),parallel grooves between which the tail slides, all of which may beconnected to the container or an integral part of the container itself.Clasping and guiding means also might include “T” sections that areattached or form part of the container 1 and interact with the cuts orgrooves 4 a in the tail 4 to guide the tail 4, all methods all wellknown to the art.

[0047] In other preferred embodiments where additional mechanicaladvantage is required to remove the seal, an additional loop 5 b can beemployed to create a pulley as illustrated in FIG. 9 and where the endof the tail is can be attached to the seal itself 10 as shown on FIG. 9,or perhaps in other preferred embodiment to the container 1. In somepreferred embodiments the loop 5 a might be dispensed with, where thisparticular guiding means for the tail 4 is not required.

[0048] While FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a twist or threaded top 1 a,it is to be understood that preferred embodiments of the invention mayhave all types of container tops, including for example, snap-on andswaged, or no top or cap at all.

[0049] It should be noted that the twist cap 1 a is placed on after theseal 3, 4 is in place. Depending upon the type of twist cap used, somedetachable attachments 6 by adhesive or other means well known to theart may be used in certain cases to hold the tail in place while the capis being put on, when the container is filled and later when thecontainer is emptied. In most cases however this will not be necessary,especially if sufficient tension is applied to the tail 4 between therim of the container orifice 1 b and the point of attachment at theproximal end of the tail 4, or other alignment means are used, asdescribed above.

[0050] A channel 2 a may also be included in the threads 2 of thecontainer 1 to provide passage for the tail and reduce the frictionbetween the thread on the cap and the tail 4 and thereby reduce thetendency of the tail to turn around with the cap 1 a when it is beingclosed or opened, but in most cases this is unnecessary. The edges ofthe channel 2 a also provide a barrier to the tail 4, preventing theturning around of the tail 4. In those containers that do not havethreaded connections between the container 1 and the cap 1 a, but rathera raised rim adjacent to the container orifice 1 b that interacts with acap to form a snap-on connection, this channel would pass through thesaid raised section and would serve the same purpose as the channelthrough the threads, described above. Some preferred embodiments have nocap or closure and rely on the seal itself for securing the contents ofthe container 1.

[0051] In another preferred embodiment of the invention the tail 4 iscompacted by various means on the seal pad 3, an example of which isillustrated on FIG. 10 in which the tail 4 is compacted in a horizontalzigzag fashion and FIG. 11 in which the tail 4 is compacted in avertical accordion fashion. The advantage of this arrangement is theseal can be placed on the container without any other modifications tothe container or, in many cases, the machinery used to bottle thecontents of the container. Methods of compaction are well known to theart and include folding, accordion fashion vertically or horizontally(as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11), stacking and zigzag arrangements,coiling, and using elastic materials for the tail 4, scrolling, curlingand curling by scraping the surface of the tail 4. The tail 4 can bedetachably attached to the seal pad 3 continuously, or at variouspoint(s), although in a preferred embodiment the tail 4 is detachablyattached in that position 6 as illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. Thispoint of detachable attachment 6 serves to align the tail, as it isbeing pulled by the operator 7 down the side of the container inDirection 8 as illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. This alignmentinsures the tail does not slide around the orifice 1 b of the containerin direction 8 a or in the opposite direction, as discussed above.

[0052] The seal pad 3 may be recessed to accommodate the bulk of thetail 4 located on top of the seal pad 3, as illustrated on FIG. 10 andFIG. 11, or it may not be necessary, depending on the bulk of the tail 4and the shape of the cap 1 a. Those preferred embodiments that compactthe tail of the seal on top of the seal pad may, but need not, includeone or more bands 5 a to gather together the compacted tail 4, anexample of which is illustrated in FIG. 11, where the band 5 a may bedetachably attached 6 c to permit the tail 4 to uncompress when pulledby the operator or may not detach, but simply allow the tail 4 to slipthrough its grasp. Other preferred embodiments may gather together thetail 4 on top of the seal pad 3 and detachably attach it to the seal padby utilizing detachable attachments, well known to the art, such asadhesives.

[0053] In some preferred embodiments, provision will be made forensuring that the seal pad 3 and/or 3 cannot be completely removed fromthe container, to reduce refuse, and this might include making theattachment permanent between the seal pad 3 and the container orifice 1b at the last portion that would otherwise separate when the seal pad ispealed off of the container orifice, that location being approximatelyunder the location 6 of the detachable attachment between the tail 4 andthe seal pad 3 of that example illustrated on FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. Othersimilar means of permanent attachment could be used in other preferredembodiments, by means well known to the art.

[0054] Other preferred embodiments may include a snag 5 c that can alignand position the tail 4 and keep the tail and container together afteruse, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 11. The sag 5 cmaintains the position of the tail 4 with respect to the container 1,but still allows the tail to slide through the snag, so that the sealcan be removed. For example, in the case of FIG. 11, the operator 7could remove the cap 1 a of the container 1, pull the fob 4 b from thetop of the seal pad 3, then pulling the fob in direction 8, pull thetail 4 taut, ensuring that the tail 4 slides in slot 3 a, if such a slotis provided; then if the operator wishes to keep the tail and containertogether after use, and if the snag 5 c or other grasping device, wellknown to the art is attached or a part of the container, the operatorcould snag the tail in the snag 5 c. The operator could then place theorifice 1 b of the container in the receiving port 1 c, which mightrequire that the container would be in the pouring position. Theoperator would only then firmly pull the tail in direction 8, breakingthe seal and allowing the contents of the container 1 to pour out,without spilling a drop outside the receiving port 1 c. The snag orother grasping device could be placed at any convenient place on thecontainer and any number of them might be used, depending upon thecircumstances.

[0055] The various means of shaping, cupping and slotting the tail 4,for better alignment of the tail with respect to the container 1, areincluded in some preferred embodiments of this compact tail arrangement.A fob 4 a can be included at the proximal end of the tail to improvepurchase for the operator. This fob might contain directions forexample, for positioning the fob and pulling it after the orifice of thecontainer has been placed in the receiving port, or a low releaseadhesive might be attached to the fob to allow it to be stuck to thecontainer after use to reduce refuse. The fob can be of various sizesand in some preferred embodiments takes up almost the entire space ontop of the seal pad 3. While FIG. 11 illustrates the fob 4 b in theextended position, it is to be understood that when the cap 1 a is onthe container 1, the fob is located on top of the seal pad 3. And FIG.10 illustrates the fob 4 b in both the extended position and in theposition on top of the seal pad 3, for diagrammatical clarity.

[0056] A notch or channel 3 a may be placed in the seal pad 3 in somepreferred embodiments, which may in some embodiments also be reinforcedat this point by, for example, laminating another piece of material ontothe top of the seal pad 3 at this location, or by other means well knownto the art. The purpose of this notch is to maintain the alignment ofthe tail being pulled through the notch or channel 3 a in direction 8 byoperator 7. This notch or channel 3 a can be of any convenient size asrequired by the size and width of the tail 4. Similarly, in somepreferred embodiments, this notch is made in the edge of the containerorifice 1 b, at approximately the same location, in such a manner thatthe seal between the seal pad 3 and the container orifice 1 b is notcompromised.

[0057] Some preferred embodiments will include instructions 11 forpositioning the tail 4 and for using it, printed or applied in some way,known to the art, on the container or label on the container, andexample of which is illustrated on FIG. 11.

[0058] It is to understood that the illustrations are made fordiagrammatical clarity and the invention is not limited to thedimensions and clearances therein illustrated. For example the tail 4will in many preferred embodiments closely hug the side of the vessel;likewise the strap 5, if used, in many embodiments will not have such alarge loop, but will hold the tail 4 snugly against the container. Someembodiments of the invention may use no strap at all, or one or morestraps. The width and length and shape of the seal may also vary. It isalso to be understood that the points of attachment whether detachableor permanent, may be continuous or their number and their positions withrespect to the container 1 and sealing member 3 and 4, may varydepending upon the size and shape of bottle, as well as the use to whichit is put. For example the loop 4 b illustrated in FIG. 1 might beattached at the bottom of the container 1 rather than at location 6 asshown in FIG. 1.

[0059] While the present invention describes various preferredembodiments having certain specific features, it is to be understoodthat any preferred embodiment may have any combination, set or subset offeatures described in other preferred embodiments herein described.

[0060] While the present invention has been described in conjunctionwith preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modificationsand variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as those skilled in the art will readilyunderstand. Such modifications and variations are considered to bewithin the purview and scope of the inventions and appended claims.

I claim the following:
 1. A sealing member includes a seal pad, which isdetachably attached, directly or indirectly, and wholly or partly to theorifice of a container, and the sealing member includes an elongatedpart or tail that is connected to the said seal pad, and the elongatedpart or tail can be initially located wholly on top of the said seal pador partly on top of the seal pad and partly adjacent to the side of thecontainer, and the sealing member, while sealing the orifice of thecontainer, is folded over on itself, or curled, on or immediatelyadjacent to the said seal pad, such that when the operator pulls thedistal end of the elongated part, or tail, 8 away from the orifice ofthe container and the elongated part or tail becomes taut, but beforethe said sealing member unseals, the said elongated part or tail willpass over the seal pad from the point of connection with the said sealpad 10, through approximately the center of the said seal pad and thenceto a location approximately opposite the location of the saidconnection, and the said elongated part or tail will thence passadjacent to the side of the container, and as the operator continues topull the elongated part, or tail of the sealing member in the same saiddirection 8, or approximately that direction, the seal pad will pealaway, or popped-off or tear away, from the said orifice of thecontainer, thereby detaching itself directly or indirectly, and whollyor partly from its attachment to the orifice of the container, andthereby unseal the orifice of the container, and any fluid material inthe container may then pour out of the container, if the container hasbeen tipped or inverted sufficiently for such purpose, or when it is sotipped or inverted.
 2. A sealing member includes a seal pad, which isdetachably attached, directly or indirectly, and wholly or partly to theorifice of a container, and the sealing member includes an elongatedpart or tail that is connected to the said seal pad, and the elongatedpart or tail can be initially located wholly on top of the said seal pador partly on top of the seal pad and partly adjacent to the side of thecontainer, and the operator can fold the sealing member over on itself,or curl the said sealing member, on or immediately adjacent to the saidseal pad, and having positioned the sealing member in this manner, suchthat when the operator pulls the distal end of the elongated part, ortail, 8 away from the orifice of the container and the elongated part ortail becomes taut, but before the said sealing member unseals, the saidelongated part or tail will pass over the seal pad from the point ofconnection with the said seal pad, through approximately the center ofthe said seal pad and thence to a location approximately opposite thelocation of the said connection, and the said elongated part or tailwill thence pass adjacent to the side of the container, and as theoperator continues to pull the elongated part, or tail of the sealingmember in the same said direction 8, the seal pad will peal away, orpopped-off or tear away, from the said orifice of the container, therebydetaching itself directly or indirectly, and wholly or partly from itsattachment to the orifice of the container, and thereby unseal theorifice of the container, and any fluid material in the container maythen pour out of the container, if the container has been tipped orinverted sufficiently for such purpose, or when it is so tipped orinverted.
 3. A method of emptying a sealed delivering container, asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the container is placed in the receivingport of a receiving container, while the container is still sealed, andbecause the said delivering container is still sealed, the saidcontainer can be in a position that if not sealed, the fluid materialinside the delivering container would pour out of the said container,and the operator pulls the tail of the sealing member away from theorifice of the container, which causes the seal pad to peal, pop-off, ortear away, wholly or partly from the orifice of the deliveringcontainer, causing the fluid material in the delivering container topour out of the delivering container, without spilling any fluidmaterial outside of the delivery port of the receiving container.
 4. Amethod of emptying a sealed delivering container, as described in claim2, wherein the container is placed in the receiving port of a receivingcontainer, while the container is still sealed, and because the saiddelivering container is still sealed, the said container can be in aposition that if not sealed, the fluid material inside the deliveringcontainer would pour out of the said container, and the operator pullsthe tail of the sealing member away from the orifice of the container,which causes the seal pad to peal, pop-off, or tear away, wholly orpartly from the orifice of the delivering container, causing the fluidmaterial in the delivering container to pour out of the deliveringcontainer, without spilling any fluid material outside of the deliveryport of the receiving container.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein achannel is formed in the threads or raised groove on the container,adjacent to the container orifice 1 b, that acts to channel or guide theelongated part of the sealing member, or the tail, and to prevent itfrom turning radially around the container as the container cap 1 a isturned, and the elongated member or tail is thereby aligned andpositioned with respect to the container, so the seal pad will pealaway, pop-off or tear away from the orifice of the container when theoperator pulls the elongated member or tail in a direction away from theorifice of the container.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesealing member is detachably attached to the container, directly orindirectly, continuously or at points along the elongate member or tail,to position, and the elongated member or tail is thereby aligned andpositioned with respect to the container, so the seal pad will pealaway, pop-off or tear away from the orifice of the container when theoperator pulls the elongated member or tail in a direction away from theorifice of the container
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesealing member is aligned and positioned with respect to the containerand with respect to parts of the sealing member, by the use of bands 5,5 a hooks, loops, notches, snags 5 c, grasps and other channelling orgathering means, and the elongated member or tail is thereby aligned andpositioned with respect to the container, so the seal pad will pealaway, pop-off or tear away from the orifice of the container when theoperator pulls the elongated member or tail in a direction away from theorifice of the container, and in some cases the tail will remainattached to the container after use.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the elongate member is formed, shaped and slotted or madeflexible, to impart or facilitate a concave or cupping shape to forminto the elongate member or tail of the sealing member, on and aroundwhere the said elongate member or tail interacts with the edge of thecontainer orifice and the seal pad, for the purpose of better aligningthe said elongate member or tail with respect to the container, and toprevent the elongated member or tail from sliding radially around thecontainer orifice, when the operator pulls the elongate member away fromthe orifice of the container, so the seal pad will peal away, pop-off ortear away from the orifice of the container when the operator pulls theelongated member or tail in a direction away from the orifice of thecontainer.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated member ortail is attached to the container connected to the container withsufficient permanency at one or more locations, so the said elongatedmember or tail cannot wholly separate from the container, after it isunsealed.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated member ortail is shaped, formed or attached to the container in such a way thatit forms a handle or some other convenient purchase for the operator tograsp and pull.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein aligning andchannelling means are incorporated into the sealing member.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein aligning and channelling means that areincorporated into the sealing member at made wholly detachablyattachable, or partly detachably attachable, to allow for the relativelyunencumbered pealing back, popping-off or tearing away of the seal padfrom the orifice of the container.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinpart or all of the elongated member or tail is compacted on top of theseal pad by various means, prior to use.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the container has a screw or pop-on top.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the aligning means forms a pulley to increase themechanical advantage of pulling on the seal pad to peal, pop-off or tearaway the seal pad, and to unseal the container.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated seal or tail is wholly located within thecontainer, when the top of the container in on.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein a part of the seal pad is attached to the orifice ofthe container, while the remainder of the said seal pad is detachablyattached to the said orifice of the container, to prevent the seal padfrom being completely removed from the container.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein a fob located on the proximal end of the elongated sealor tail, contains an adhesive to permit it to be attached to thecontainer, after use, to reduce refuse.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein a fob located on the proximal end of the elongated seal or tail,contains advertising and/or directions for use.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein directions for positioning the elongated seal or tailwith respect to the container and for use are included on an appropriateplace on the container.